...
Entering the kitchen, Rice Shower couldn't help but ask, "Onii-sama, what are we making today?"
"Hmm... crab roe shumai and shrimp dumplings."
"When should we start?"
Rice Shower had gone back yesterday and tried making fried rice, but the flavor hadn't met her expectations.
If there was time today, she planned to make it again and let Lucian see if there were any areas for improvement.
"Before we start, I want to ask—did you say something to them yesterday?"
That sudden "Onii-chan" earlier had almost made Lucian forget about this matter.
But he wasn't actually angry with Rice Shower.
Rice Shower had already expected this—it seemed she hadn't managed to dodge the question. "I only told Urara that you made us lots of delicious food yesterday."
"Trainer, did Rice Shower cause you a lot of trouble?" Rice Shower's delicate face wore an apologetic expression, as if recalling unpleasant memories. Her entire demeanor grew noticeably gloomier. "It's Rice Shower's fault. Rice Shower will apologize, okay?"
"W-wait... I was just joking." Lucian panicked. He really didn't want to accidentally make Rice Shower cry.
This little filly was wonderful in every way, except that sometimes she'd fall into self-doubt, blaming herself for others' misfortunes.
Perhaps precisely because of this, the little angel Haru Urara had appeared by her side—to balance out some of Rice Shower's negative emotions.
Rice Shower let out a relieved sigh. "I thought the trainer was angry."
"You didn't do anything wrong. And do I look like someone who gets angry easily?"
"Not at all." Rice Shower added silently in her heart: Onii-chan seems like a very gentle person.
"Oh, right. The gift I'm preparing for you is almost done."
The welcome gifts for Tokai Teio, Rice Shower, and Dextrous Bailey hadn't been given yet.
Rice Shower had almost forgotten about this. "If it's too much trouble, Rice Shower doesn't really need one."
"That won't do. Everyone gets one... Rice Shower, you shouldn't always sacrifice yourself as the price for something." Lucian hoped Rice Shower wouldn't feel the need to be so well-behaved around him. She could even be a little selfish—it wouldn't matter. "You can think of 'Dream' as your home. At home, of course you can be a bit more mischievous, like Urara and the others... What matters most is that you're happy."
After saying this, Lucian noticed Rice Shower's slightly bewildered expression and chuckled. "Never mind, let's start cooking for today."
They could take it slow. He would protect her.
"Okay~" Rice Shower wasn't foolish—she could understand Lucian's kindness and the care behind his words.
...
After preparing the necessary kitchenware and ingredients, Lucian began his explanation:
"Shrimp dumplings are a very classic dim sum dish from China. The skin is thin, the filling tender, and the shrimp is fresh and delicious. The translucent, crystal-like appearance also earns it the name 'crystal shrimp dumplings.'"
"China are really good at naming things," Rice Shower remarked in admiration.
"Of course. Chinese's culinary history is long and profound. Even someone like me has only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg. You could study it for a lifetime and never master it all."
"Even Onii-chan can't learn everything?" In Rice Shower's innocent eyes, Lucian was already an exceptionally, exceptionally skilled chef.
"Of course not."
"Wow~" Rice Shower's lips parted slightly as she nodded. "Rice Shower wants to try all the delicious food. If there's a chance to visit China..."
"Hm? Rice Shower, what did you just say?" Lucian paused, as if triggered by a passive skill.
"'Want to try all the delicious food?'"
"Not that part."
"'If there's a chance to visit China?'"
"Rice Shower, if that's your wish, I can make it happen." Lucian's ears suddenly echoed with Lucia's nagging voice.
Back then, he had confidently boasted, and even now, he remained just as self-assured.
Since Japan and China celebrated the New Year at different times, they could easily treat it as a vacation and visit China after theirs was over.
Though Rice Shower wanted to go, she didn't immediately agree.
Mainly because she had never been abroad before—of course she'd feel nervous.
Lucian noticed this and quickly reassured her: "No rush. We can ask the others what they think later."
"Okay~" Only then did Rice Shower nod.
After closing that topic, Lucian continued his explanation: "Just now, we were talking about... the first step: making the dumpling wrappers."
This first step was already a technical challenge, so Lucian had Rice Shower stand to the side and watch.
"After forming the dough, knead it until smooth, then cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 20 minutes..."
"Then, you can roll it out into round dumpling wrappers with a rolling pin."
"Next, we prepare the filling..."
"Now we can start wrapping the shrimp dumplings."
...
Lucian's explanation grew more and more engaging, and Rice Shower listened attentively.
When it came to wrapping the dumplings, Lucian let Rice Shower take over while he watched from the side, taking a break.
"Onii-sama, how do these look?" Rice Shower gradually let go of her reservations. After wrapping a few dumplings, she looked at Lucian expectantly, waiting for his praise.
"They're... kinda ugly. You... need to pick nine lotus flowers."
When it came to professional standards, even "Onii-chan" wouldn't cut it...
Well, not really. Lucian just felt that being overly cautious in their interactions wouldn't help Rice Shower gradually open up.
Have you ever seen friends who had to tiptoe around every conversation? Urara certainly hadn't, and neither had Lucian.
"Uuu—" Rice Shower pursed her lips, her cheeks puffing up like little balloons.
"Alright, I'll teach you. Like this..." Lucian picked up a dumpling wrapper and finished wrapping one in just a few seconds. "Got it?"
"Wow—Onii-chan, can you do it one more time?"
"Sure, I'll go slower this time. Watch closely." Lucian demonstrated again.
Recalling his movements, Rice Shower tried wrapping another shrimp dumpling.
She lifted her hand, presenting the dumpling in her palm to Lucian, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"This one is much better! As chefs, we have to make dishes look beautiful too. That way, customers will find them appetizing just by looking, right?"
"Right." Rice Shower set the dumpling down and nodded.
"But if you want praise from customers, just looking good isn't enough." Lucian picked up a small carving knife and began etching something into the nicely wrapped dumpling in front of him. "So... the filling inside has to be delicious too. Only then will customers truly approve."
"If the filling in my dumplings was hard to swallow, no matter how pretty they looked, would Rice Shower want to eat them?"
Rice Shower shook her head. "No, wouldn't like it."
"Exactly. And when shrimp dumplings are both beautiful and delicious, everyone will want to try them."
Lucian placed the carved dumpling in front of Rice Shower.
"'Rice Shower'?" Rice Shower murmured, reading the carving on the dumpling—her own name.
In Lucian's eyes, Rice Shower, who chased after dazzling things, was already remarkable.
But if her heart remained shrouded in self-doubt, she would spend her whole life only chasing after brilliance—never becoming a dazzling existence herself, let alone earning others' recognition.
It wasn't Rice Shower's fault for not understanding. After all, nothing had happened yet.
So it was fine if she didn't get it now. Lucian would teach her, slowly.
...